Electric Light Orchestra – Out Of The Blue – Music Monday #19

Welcome to the latest edition of Music Monday, a series in which I give you an exclusive look into my ever growing record collection!

Every Monday I pick a record from my collection completely at random and then I write about it! In today’s post the album I’m going to be talking about is Out of the Blue by Electric Light Orchestra!

This album isn’t available on Spotify but ELO do have a Spotify page so I’ll put a player with some of their music in for you to listen to whilst you read the rest of the blog post here:

Out of the Blue is Electric Light Orchestra’s 7th studio album, it was released in 1977. This is a double album and the entire album was written and produced by ELO front man Jeff Lynne.

This album is certified Platinum in the UK, US and Canada. There was a 30th Anniversary edition of this album released in 2007 with 3 extra bonus tracks but so far I’ve not managed to get my hand on a vinyl copy and so I’ve yet to buy it.

I’m unsure as to why this album isn’t available for streaming on sites like Spotify as other ELO albums are, it’s a shame because this is such a brilliant album.

I guess I should fill you in on who ELO are just in case you don’t know! Electric Light Orchestra or ELO and they’re more affectionately known and an English Rock band from Birmingham! (Birmingham has produced some amazing bands!)

ELO were formed in 1970 because two of the founding members of the band Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne wanted to create rock and pop music with a classical overtone. Roy Wood left the band after the first album was released and from then on Jeff Lynne was the brains behind all of the ELO magic.

In their early career ELO had limited success in the UK despite being an English band instead they proved to be very popular in the US. They eventually gained a cult following on both sides of the Atlantic and in the mid 1970’s they were one of the bestselling acts in music, quite the accolade!

ELO disbanded in 1986 to pursue other projects, there is a long list of members from that time so please forgive me for not telling you what each of them went on to do, it’s interesting to note that one of the members Bev Bevan went on to be a touring drummer for Black Sabbath for a few years after ELO disbanded.

In 2012 Jeff Lynne reformed the band under the name Jeff Lynne’s ELO which I personally find more than a little pretentious, there was nothing wrong with the name Electric Light Orchestra but hey, I’m not here to judge.

Jeff Lynne’s ELO has a new album which is set to be released on November 13th 2015. It is just a very happy coincidence that I picked this record from my collection at random just a few days before I swear! The universe clearly wanted me to talk about it.

Anyway let’s get back to Out of the Blue and take a look at the track list!

Side One:

Turn To Stone

It’s Over

Sweet Talkin’ Woman

Across The Border

Side Two:

Night In The City

Starlight

Jungle

Believe Me Now

Steppin’ Out

Side Three – this side is subtitled Concerto for a Rainy Day

Standin’ In The Rain

Big Wheels

Summer and Lightning

Blue Sky

Side Four:

Sweet Is The Night

The Whale

Birmingham Blues

Wild West Hero

I just wanted to comment on the fact that side three is subtitled ‘Concerto For A Rainy Day’ this a 4 track musical suite dedicated to the weather and how it affects the mood change, it ends with the sunshine and happiness of Mr. Blue Sky!

This is ELO’s best album in my opinion, the whole album is beautifully arranged and every song is its own slice of perfection.

I can’t pick just one favourite song so instead I’ll pick one favourite from each side!

Side One Favourite – Sweet Talkin’ Woman

Side Two Favourite – Starlight

Side Three Favourite – Mr. Blue Sky

Side Four Favourite – The Whale

This is a fantastic album and I recommend that everyone give it a listen especially those of you who are maybe just discovering ELO thanks to their new album.

I haven’t pre-ordered their new album, I didn’t actually realise there was one until I sat down to write this post so I’ll buy that when it’s out and I’ll review it at some point!

I have one last thing to show you from the Out of the Blue album, this album belonged to my Mum originally and I believe that she bought it when it first came out or certainly not long after, this album is so well looked after it still have the original poster with it! Look!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this edition of Music Monday, if you’d like to read other editions from this series then please click here to be redirected to the Music Monday section of my blog where you’ll find all of the Music Monday posts I’ve ever written!